He Had Brought Her Back Her Heart

When Dove awoke, her body felt strong and rejuvenated. The fatigue, weakness, and body aches had vanished. She surveyed the room and smiled when she saw Dimitri slumbering in the chair in the corner beside the bed. Not wishing to wake him up just yet, she pushed the bed sheets and blankets off her body. She swung her legs off the side of the bed and her feet touched the ground.

Here was the moment of truth. Testing herself, she pushed herself up and forced her weight upon her legs. Gratefully, her knees didn’t buckle and she didn’t fall into a pile of limbs upon the ground. A smile crossed her face, but she gasped as she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes had a shimmery gold rim surrounding her pupil that spread out into an emerald hue. She was so startled and awestruck by it that she didn’t realize Dimitri had awoke until he was standing behind her in the reflection of the mirror.

“I told you our eyes would be breathtaking,” he told her as her met his identical pair. “However, they won’t stay this way forever. Yours will, but mine won’t until we complete the ritual.”

She flushed at that as lustful thoughts flowed through her at the possibilities of intimacy and connection. She bit her lip, feeling her body heat almost unbearably. Her eyes focused upon equally lustful eyes.

“We should definitely remedy that as soon as possible,” she breathed out huskily as his questing fingers trailed up and down her spine.

He smirked at her obvious growing need and she watched him in the mirror as his lips dipped to her shoulder and neck. Her heart pounded within her chest as his lips pressed against the scar left from his claim bite. Extreme heady pleasure exploded through her like fissures breaking through surface. Earthquakes cracked through her psyche as molten desires burned through her.

“Your eyes,” he murmured and her eyes darted to hers momentarily in the mirror. There was a haze of shimmery gold and red now clouding them. “Your eyes are enchanting.” She watched him flick his tongue against the scar on her neck and she moaned against the overwhelming thrill. “But I feel like we should wait until we don’t have a potential audience.”

She was about to protest when he stepped back from her until she heard footsteps in the hallway. Layla and Murdoch came in. There was absolute chaos that erupted as Layla pulled her into a bone crushing embrace. Tears streamed down her sister’s cheeks as emotions ran high. Unable to keep from crying herself, she cried into her sister’s embrace.

“Don’t ever do that again,” Layla gasped, refusing to loosen her hold. “I almost lost, Dove. Don’t ever scare me like that ever again.” Dove held her sister until they finally pulled back and Layla’s eyes widened in shock. “Your eyes! They’re absolutely stunning! So is it official?”

Layla’s eyes darted back and forth between her and Dimitri. Thankfully, Dimitri addressed the situation. “Not yet, but soon. Very soon.” He pressed a kiss against Dove’s temple and she shivered at the sensation. “Dove just made a full recovery and probably needs something to eat and drink before we discuss perhaps a night out in the city.”

“Of course! That’s a brilliant idea!” Layla gasped, beckoning everyone to follow. “I can whip up everyone breakfast and we can suggest the best places in Paradise Borough.”

Murdoch chuckled at his mate’s exuberance before winking at Dove. He reached out and squeezed her hand.

“I’m so glad you made it through,” he whispered to her before his eyes went to Dimitri. “Thank you for everything.”

With that, Murdoch left them to follow Layla. Dimitri reached out, tugging Dove into his embrace. His mouth slanted over hers in a passionate heated kiss and she gasped in surprise as his hands explored her body over the thin material of her nightgown.

He pulled back to her utter dismay and he pressed his forehead against hers. His breath fanned across her tingling lips.

“Soon,” he promised.

She sighed. “You’ve been saying that.”

He chuckled, shaking his head amusement. He pointed to the drawers with mirror perched on top of it. “Layla says there’s clothes that fit you in there. Take your time.”

“I could use a hot shower,” Dove agreed as she moved towards the drawers to search through them to find an outfit.

As she opened the first drawer, she froze in shock and her eyes widened as she saw a small ornate jewelry box. Her hands shook as her trembling fingers opened it to reveal the family heirlooms piled in the box. She thought she lost them when she was attacked. Tears filled her eyes as she glanced towards Dimitri.

“You-You—”

Dimitri brushed her tears away as he approached her. “The jewelry box was the only thing you grabbed to take with you. I figured you’d want it with you.”

“I thought they were lost forever after…” she trailed off. She sucked in a breath before she launched herself at Dimitri, tackling him into a tight hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Anything,” he murmured into her hair. She pulled back and gazed into his eyes. “You should wear some of these tonight.”

She nodded her head. Tonight would be a special night she was certain. Dimitri gave her a soft chaste kiss upon her mouth before he untangled himself to leave her to bathe and get dressed. Her eyes drifted back down to the opened jewelry box and she pushed her fingers through the one of a kind pieces of jewelry in awe.

All of them were accounted for. He had brought her back her heart.

—

The world above ground was bright with actual daylight from the sun. Aurora gazed out at the window, admiring the water in the bay. She chewed her bottom lip as her eyes followed the long wooden pathway to the cabana at the end of the pier. It was covered and she wondered if it was worth the potential risk of sunlight exposure to be nearby the water.

Deciding it was indeed worth it to feel and taste the salty sea, she quickly tugged on her clothes. As she was putting on a top, there was knocking on her door. She frowned as she turned to it. Who would knock on her door at this time?

She walked to the door, cracked it open, and peered through the gap. Of course — Helios. A small smile tipped the corners of her mouth. She opened the door wider.

“What do I owe this pleasure?” she threw out at him in a monotone voice.

He chuckled as he rolled his eyes. “Where are you off to? My sister and Derrick are preoccupied doing…” He visibly paled then shuddered. “Whatever they are currently doing. I’m bored and decided to bother your—”

“Peaceful morning,” she finished for him. He shrugged, but he didn’t seem at all guilty for his actions. “I’m on my way to the end of the pier to go relax in the cabana.”

He smirked. “If I put in a breakfast request with Miss Sharpe, may I join in the cabana?”

Food, drink, the ocean, and her mate sounded divine. She smiled and nodded as excitement and anticipation rose within her. He winked at her before he set off to do his part of his bargain. Her eyes checked the room, seeing if there was anything she needed before she headed to the cabana. There was nothing so she closed her door. She made her way through the hallways to get to the right door that lead to the covered pier.

As she walked down the very long path down the pier to cabana and the ocean, she admired the beauty surrounding her. It was a beautiful place and she would soak it all up before reality caught up to drag her back to the real world. By the time she made it the cabana, she was more than ready to put her feet up and rest.

Her eyes widened as she caught sight of the daybed and other pieces of furniture with the large cabana. She knew it would take a bit of time for Helios to join her with breakfast so she settled on the daybed. For a long while, she gazed out on the water until she faded off to sleep.

She hadn’t realized she had fallen asleep until she lightly shaken awake. Her eyes fluttered open to see Helios hovering over her. She smiled at him, stretching out her body before she forced herself to sit up.

“I see the breakfast request went well if you’re here,” she teased him as Helios moved towards the side of the cabana facing out into the bay and he focused the ocean for a moment.

Helios turned to her for a moment. “Breakfast request?”

“Yes, you promised you would in order to join me out here,” she told him before rolling her eyes. “Did you already forget?”

He flushed. “Of course not. I put the request in.”

“Good. You better have,” she said as she rose from the daybed. She walked over to him and smiled. “Isn’t it beautiful out of here? Perfect distraction from boredom, don’t you think?”

“Yes, of course,” he muttered before glancing away from her.

She frowned at his odd behavior. She shrugged, brushing it off. Maybe, he just found something out and that was why he was acting standoffish. She wasn’t going to push him. She knew Helios was mercurial by nature. He’d bounce back to his charming demeanor.

She left him to stand, overlooking the ocean. She stopped for a moment as she made out a couple figures out on the pier walking towards her. They were too far off to recognize, but she realized it must be the servants delivering their breakfast. She felt a bit bad for having them walk all this way then return back. Next time if there was a next time, she’d stop off and grab food beforehand to bring with her.

Helios hadn’t attempted to resurrect conversation so she continued to watch the figures get closer. She hoped Helios wouldn’t be too quiet. She wanted his cheekiness and laughter. She didn’t even realize she missed it until his quirkiness was subdued.

“Persephone,” Helios called to her and she felt eyes upon her.

A strange chill wrapped around her and she slowly glanced over at Helios with his stare burning into her. The moment his eyes met hers, she knew it wasn’t him.

It didn’t feel like him.

And he called her Persephone.

“Persephone, he’s waiting for you,” the imposter told her.

She took off towards the approaching figures, screaming for help. One figure took off into a sprint towards her before the others did so as well. They were too far away and she knew it, but she tried to run as far as she could before she was tackled to the pier.

Her heart raced as the imposter wrapped his arms around her before he lifted her struggling body. This vampire was also a fae like her and his innate power was potent. Her fears were confirmed when energized ropes started to slither around her like serpents. They moved through the cabana until her body was sailing through the air before striking the surface of the water.

The imposter grabbed her by the ropes before his body torpedoed through the ocean. She wanted to scream and regretted it when she did as water filled her mouth. Was this how she going to meet her end?

Drowning?

The last thought shooting through her mind was would Helios remember her when she was gone.